Dillon Ranger District

Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area- The Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area surrounds Dillon Reservoir, on the south side of Silverthorne and Dillon. The reservoir sits at an elevation of 9,015 feet.Eagles Nest Wilderness (East Side)- The Eagles Nest Wilderness straddles the Gore Range. Green Mountain Reservoir Recreation Area- The Green Mountain Reservoir Recreation Area is located about 15 miles north of Silverthorne. The area offers many water based activities as well as camping and hiking.Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness- Ptarmigan Peak is composed of lower elevation ecosystems of lodgepole pine and piñon juniper, as well as, spruce-fir and alpine tundra forests. Elevations range from 8,800 to 12,757 feet.

Copyright: - US Forest Service
The Gore Range, from north of Silverthorne

Description -

The Dillon Ranger District includes much of Summit County, Colorado; the area surrounding Silverthorne, Dillon, and Breckenridge. The district lies along the western side of the Continental Divide.

Four major ski areas, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapaho Basin, and Copper Mountain are located on the Dillon District. The district has two large reservoirs, Green Mountain and Dillon. Dillon Reservoir lies between Frisco, Silverthorne and Dillon. Green Mountain Reservoir lies 15 miles north of Silverthorne. The district encompasses major portions of the Eagle's Nest and Ptarmigan Peaks wildernesses.

Attractions
- Four major ski areas, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapaho Basin, and Copper Mountain are located on the Dillon District. The district has two large reservoirs, Green Mountain and Dillon. Dillon Reservoir lies between Frisco, Silverthorne and Dillon. Green Mountain Reservoir lies 15 miles north of Silverthorne. The district encompasses major portions of the Eagle's Nest and Ptarmigan Peaks wildernesses.

Recreation - With the ski areas and the large reservoirs, the Dillon District is a center for recreation activity. Downhill skiing, fishing, and boating are of course popular here.

There are 14 campgrounds, including 1 group campsite, located mostly around the two reservoirs. These campgrounds offer varying levels of services. Many of the campgrounds offer fishing and boating adjacent to the sites. Backcountry and dispersed camping opportunities also exist. Be sure to follow the backcountry and dispersed camping regulations, and Leave No Trace principles to ensure the next forest visitor an equal experience.

The district offers many miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Many trails in the area reach above 13,000 feet elevation.

Climate - Elevations on the Dillon District range from 8,000 feet at Green Mountain Reservoir to over 14,000 feet on highest peaks. Vegetation includes sagebrush meadows at lower elevations, aspen and lodgepole pine at intermediate elevations, Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir forests above about 10,000 feet and alpine tundra at the highest elevations.

At the lowest elevations, around Green Mountain Reservoir, summer high temperatures extend into the low 80s. Because much of the district is over 9,000 feet, high temperatures can be significantly cooler, with evenings temperatures that can often dip into the 30s. Winter lows occasionally dip to minus 35 degrees, though daytime temperatures are often in the 20s. The relative humidity is quite low throughout the year. Much of the annual precipitation comes in the form of winter snow but afternoon summer thunderstorms are common. Snow is possible at any time of year in the highest elevations. The high elevation roads and trails are often not clear of snow until at least mid-July.

Location -
The Dillon Ranger District lies at the eastern end of the White River National Forest, along the west side of the Continental Divide. It encompasses much of Summit County and surrounds the towns of Silverthorne, Dillon, Frisco, Breckenridge and Keystone. The Dillon Ranger District office is located in Silverthorne.

The Blue River runs through the middle of the district, from south to north, with other major drainages including the Snake River, Swan River and Tenmile Creek. Interstate 70 cuts through the northern part of the district leading from east to west.

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Ranger Tip: Use sunscreen and drink a lot of water.

Trip Reports:
Add your own trip Report!Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others.
This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip reportFiled By: Steve Wilson/Wilsonn Number of People Encountered: 0-10 pplRecommend to a Friend: HighlyReport: Got Oxygen? The climb is not technically tough except for the lack of air in the air. Their are I believe Three differant splits in the trail and we may have by now taken all three. Words pale and fail to describe the scenery which unfolds around every turn and rise.

Additional Information:Arapaho National Forest - The former Arapaho National Forest has been absorbed into and is now administered by the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, White River National Forest and Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests.Beaver Creek Area - Beaver Creek is a resort community located 10 miles west of Vail in Colorado's central mountains. This area is loaded with outstanding outdoor recreation attractions, many of which are found on the surrounding White River National Forest.Breckenridge Area - Breckenridge is located in Summit County, Colorado, approximately 85 miles west of Denver. It sits about seven miles south of Dillon Reservoir and north of Hoosier Pass.Dillon Area - Dillon is located in Summit County, Colorado. Dillon is approximately 70 miles west of Denver, just west of the Eisenhower Tunnel and the Continental Divide.Summit County Area - Summit County, Colorado is a recreational mecca that includes the area surrounding Silverthorne, Dillon, Frisco and Breckenridge. Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapaho Basin and Copper Mountain ski areas are located in this area.Vail Area - The Vail Area includes the upper Eagle River Valley in Eagle County, Colorado. The area is approximately 100 miles west of Denver, on the west side of Vail Pass and the Gore Range.White River National Forest - The White River National Forest encompasses two and one-quarter million acres of Colorado's central mountains, including many of Colorado's resort destinations.